Tripods

asically, despite the recent addition of a ring flash to my close-up system, there’s still much close-up photography that almost always demands the use of a tripod. More often than not, close-up work requires exacting sharpness and crystal-clear details, and that means that one should strive to use the lowest ISO possible, to keep noise levels (grain) to the absolute minimum. (Granted, technology has advanced, and one can now get some truly low-noise images even at ISO 1600 with Nikon’s D3X—but at a cost of $5,000 as of this printing. Until this technology finds its way into the $1,000 digital cameras, I’m using ISO 200 on my Nikon D300.)

In addition, since so much close-up photography involves incredibly short working distances, depth of field is at a premium. The “massive” depth of field here is often no greater than 1 inch front to back, and this is with an aperture of f/22! The combination of a low ISO and small lens opening means that exposure times between 1/30 sec. and 1 second are the norm—and are far too slow to handhold.

I’ve learned many valuable lessons from my own photographic experiences over the last thirty years, and there’s one thing that stands out with absolute certainty: Don’t go cheap when it comes to buying a tripod. Cheap is anything less than $300 for a tripod and its related head. Believe it or not, tripod/head combos that cost under $300 will only perform for about two to three years with normal use. You are better off buying one tripod that costs you more up front, because in the long run, you’ll be money ahead. I have students who are on their fifth tripod because they were trying to “save money.” Better to do it right the first time.

Of the many tripods out there, you should give serious consideration to ones with carbon fiber legs. Carbon fiber is much lighter in weight than steel, and if you plan to use your tripod religiously, the last thing you want is to be weighted down more than necessary. In addition, consider the height of the tripod. You’ll want it to be sitting at chest level when all three legs are extended. You’ll also want a tripod with legs that “click out,” allowing the tripod to go almost down to the ground.

As far as tripod heads, you’ll want a ball-head model that offers a quick-release mounting system. A ball head (sometimes seen as ballhead) is the only type of head capable of allowing the camera and lens to move freely to get the often difficult and precise points of view required in close-up photography. There are several well-known ball-head manufacturers, including Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff, and my favorite, Arcatech.